Tagged: Tennessee

SEC Football: Arkansas Places Six Seniors in Post-Season All-Star Games


 

The Arkansas Razorbacks has six seniors out of a total of 51 former SEC players that will participate in three of four different post-season all-star games.

Running back Broderick Green (Little Rock, Arkansas) will be the first former Hog to appear in a game when he suits up for the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game January 16.

Green, a punishing runner listed at 6’2”, 244 pounds, finished the 2011 college football season with 260 rushing yards on 68 carries. He led the Razorbacks with five rushing touchdowns this year.

For his career at Arkansas he complied 1,235 rushing yards on 308 attempts for 22 touchdowns.

Five other former SEC players will be appearing in the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game: OT Chandler Burden from Kentucky, DE Wayne Dorsey from Ole Miss, QB Jarrett Lee from LSU, CB Anthony Mosley from Kentucky, and LB Austin Johnson from Tennessee.

The Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game takes place in Phoenix, Arizona at the Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium and airs on FOX Sports Net at 8 p.m. EST January 16.

In the East-West Shrine Game the NFL Network will showcase the talents of wide receivers Greg Childs and Jarius Wright along with linebacker Jerry Franklin.

Franklin was a four year starter for the Hogs. He led Arkansas in tackles in each of the past four years finishing with 100 or more tackles in his junior and senior seasons- 101 in 2011 and 100 in 2010.

Franklin was one of eight total Razorbacks voted All-SEC in 2011. He was second team defense as picked by SEC Coaches.

Jarius Wright led the SEC in receiving yards (1,117) and touchdown receptions (12) during his senior season. Wright was one catch shy of tying Tennessee’s Da’Rick Rogers conference leading total of 67.

Greg Childs played much of the 2011 season still recovering from a patellar tendon injury he suffered in the fourth quarter of a 2010 game against Vanderbilt. He had his best game of the season in the Cotton Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats finishing with five catches for 48 yards.

Childs ended his college football career with 2,069 total receiving yards, 133 receptions, and 15 total touchdowns.

Nine other SEC players will appear in the East-West Shrine Game including: QB John Brantley from Florida, Tauren Poole from Tennessee, DT DeAngelo Tyson, PK Blair Walsh, FB Bruce Figgins from Georgia, DE Kentrell Lockett and OT Bradley Sowell from Ole Miss, C Quentin Saulsberry from Mississippi State, and DT Travian Robertson from South Carolina.

The East-West Shrine Game starts at 4 p.m. EST and will be shown on the NFL Network January 21. The game will be played at Tropicana Field inSt. Petersburg, Florida.

The Senior Bowl has the largest collection of former SEC players among the post-season all-star games with 23 total players appearing including two Razorbacks- WR Joe Adams and DE Jake Bequette.

Jake Bequette was first team All-SEC in 2011 after totaling 10 sacks, five quarterback hurries, and 10.5 tackles for a loss while appearing in 10 games. He had multiple sack games against South Carolina (3), Mississippi State (2), and Kansas State (2).

Joe Adams was a consensus All-American as a punt returner for Arkansas. He ranked No. 2 in Division 1-A in total punt return yards (321), average return yards per punt (16.89), but led all players in returns for a touchdown (4).

Adams was a primary threat in the SEC as one of the Razorbacks top wide receivers. He ranked No. 8 in the SEC with 652 total receiving yards and No. 4 in total receptions with 54 while catching three touchdown passes.

As a threat out of the backfield, Adams had 10 rushing attempts for 139 yards with one touchdown.

The 21 other former SEC players scheduled to play in the Senior Bowl include: RB Vick Ballard from MSU, DT Josh Chapman, Safety Mark Barron, WR Marquis Maze, CB DeQuan Menzie, LB Courtney Upshaw, and C William Vlachos from Alabama, Punter Drew Butler, CB Brandon Boykin, OT Cordy Glenn, and C Ben Jones from Georgia, DT Jaye Howard and RB Chris Rainey from Florida, RT Brandon Mosley and LS Josh Harris from Auburn, CB Casey Hayward from Vanderbilt, DE Melvin Ingram and S/LB Antonio Allen from South Carolina, and OG Will Blackwell, TE Deangelo Peterson, and Safety Brandon Taylor from LSU.

The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama will air on the NFL Network at 4 p.m. EST January 28.

No former Razorback players will appear in the Battle for Florida played on January 21 at 8 p.m. EST on FOX College Sports in Boca Raton, Florida.

Liberty Bowl Preview: Vanderbilt versus Cincinnati in SEC-Big East Matchup


The Liberty Bowl has a storied tradition of producing can’t miss bowl games and this year’s contest is no exception. On December 31, Memphis, Tennessee will host an up and coming 6-6 Vanderbilt team against a powerful 9-3 Cincinnati squad in a SEC versus Big East showdown.

 

Both teams feature head coaches looking to establish themselves at their new schools.

 

In his first year at Vanderbilt, James Franklin has brought an excitement to the Commodore program not seen since the mid 1970’s when Steve Sloan and Fred Pancoast were roaming the sidelines as the head coach. No coincidence that was the last time Vandy had back-to-back winning seasons.

 

Franklinmanaged to surpass the Commodores’ total wins from 2009 (2) and 2010 (2) while changing the mentality of an overlooked program to one opposing team’s fear.

 

Vandy had an opportunity to beat Georgia, Arkansas, Florida, and Tennessee this year. As with many young teams the Commodores are still learning how to win and appear to be only a year away from being a SEC East contender.

 

After three seasons at Central Michigan (2007-2009), Butch Jones followed his predecessor Brian Kelly from CMU to Cincinnati when Kelly departed for the Notre Dame job opening.

 

Jones had a tall order to fill in 2010. The Bearcats were 12-1 in 2009 coming off an undefeated regular season and a Big East Championship with their lone loss coming in the Sugar Bowl to No. 5 Florida. Cincinnati struggled to a 4-8 record but Jones instilled in his players a blueprint for what would be a great 2011 campaign.

 

The Bearcats hard work paid off in 2011 with tough wins overLouisville, South Florida, andPittsburgh. A heartbreaking three point loss to West Virginia November 12, led to a let down loss to Rutgers the following weekend which cost the school a BCS game and the outright Big East Championship.

 

It is no coincidence thatCincinnatistruggled after the injury to senior quarterback Zack Collaros in the WVU game. Despite missing the final three games of the season due to a fractured ankle, Collaros finished the season ranked No. 7 in the Big East in total passing yards (1,854) and second in quarterback rating (139.9).

 

Scouting the Offenses

 

Call it overcoming adversity or plug and play, Vanderbilt and Cincinnati both went through quarterback changes during the season on their way to the Liberty Bowl matchup.

 

Senior quarterback Larry Smith started the season for Vandy before giving way to Jordan Rodgers October 22, against Army. Rodgers looked uncomfortable in the pocket at first but has grown into a dual-threat quarterback. He has 10 or more rushing attempts and 10 or more passing attempts in every game he has started this season.

 

Rodgers finished the season with a quarterback rating of 119.6 and was sixth in the SEC with 1,498 total passing yards. His touchdown to interception ration (9/9) leaves room for improvement.

 

The top receiving target for the Commodores is Jordan Matthews. Matthews finished the season fourth in the SEC in total receiving yards (722) and first in average yards per catch (19.5). He had three 100 yards games with Jordan under center –Arkansas, Florida, and Kentucky.

 

Chris Boyd is the big play possession receiver for the Commodores. Of his 29 catches on the season 7 were for touchdowns. He had 404 total receiving yards during the regular season.

 

The down-field threat of Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd coupled with the improved offensive line play has allowed junior running back Zac Stacy the opportunity to break the single season rushing record for Vanderbilt (1,136).

 

Stacy had five 100-yards rushing games (Ole Miss, Army, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Wake Forest) and added 13 rushing touchdowns. He finished third in the SEC in total rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns.

 

Stacy is not a receiving threat out of the backfield. His game high is three catches for 51 yards against Arkansas.

 

Isaiah Pead is the focal point for the Bearcat offense. He finished second in the Big East in total rushing yards (1,110) and first in rushing touchdowns (11).

 

Pead played his best against Cincinnati’s better opponents. He had 155 yards rushing against Tennessee’s defense, 167 against North Carolina State, 151 againstLouisville, 118 against Pitt, and 113 against WVU.

 

Pead is a threat to move the chains as a receiver. He had a season high 9 catches for 112 yards against Syracuse with one touchdown. He broke loose for a 69 yard receiving score in that same game.

 

Cincinnati is not deep at tailback. Even though he has missed the last three games of the season, Callaros is second on the team in total rushing yards (242) with 8 touchdowns. Backup running back George Winn is fourth on the team in total rushing yards.

 

Sophomore quarterback Munchie Legaux filled in for the Bearcats under center after the injury to Callaros. The big 6’5” quarterback did not play well in his first two games with extended playing time. He struggled with his accuracy and opted to run for yardage instead of checking down his progressions.

 

In the last two games of the season againstSyracuseandConnecticut, Legaux found his footing passing for 169 and 217 respectively. He had a season high three touchdown passes against Connecticut.

 

Through the quarterback changes wide receivers Anthony McClung, Kenbrell Thompkins, and D.J. Woods made the most of their opportunities.

 

McClung finished the season sixth in the Big East in receiving yards (675) and tied for sixth with five receiving touchdowns. McClung had a season best 8 catches for 142 yards with 2 touchdowns against Connecticut.

 

Scouting the Defenses

 

Defensively both teams get after their opponents, especially with their pass defense.

 

Cincinnati’s Derek Wolfe ranked No. 10 nationally in total sacks (9.5) for a total of 63 yards lost. As a group the Bearcats sacked the opposition 44 times and forced 14 interceptions.

 

Senior defensive tackle Tim Fugger leads the Commodores with 6.5 sacks, 47 yards lost. As a team in a run-first conference Vandy has 24 total sacks.

 

Another similarity between the two defenses is their heart and soul senior linebackers, Chris Marve for Vanderbilt and J.K. Schaffer for the Bearcats.

 

Schaffer is the active leading tackler in the Big East. His 105 total tackles in 2011 ranks No. 48 in CFB and he is tied with teammate Devan Drane for most interceptions on the team (3). Marve has 47 solo tackles and a total of 84 on the year.

 

Casey Hayward is the shut-down corner back for Vandy. He has a team high five picks on the year for a unit that came up with 17 total interceptions.

 

Vanderbilt may have the sixth best total defense (324.58) in the SEC but do not let that fool you. That translates to a No. 19 ranking in college football.

 

Cincinnatihas the No. 47 ranked total defense allowing 362.58 total yards per game.

 

The special teams nod goes to the Bearcats. Freshman kicker Tony Millano has made 16 of his 22 attempts and 43 of 46 extra point attempts.

 

Field goal kicking is not a strong suit for Vanderbilt having only converted 7 out of 13 attempts.

 

The Analysis

 

Will he or won’t he play? That is the question centered on Zach Callaros. Reports are he has been practicing but on a limited basis. Even if his ankle was full strength would he be sharp enough against Vanderbilt’s defense after missing so much time?

 

Having Callaros in the lineup gives the Bearcats a presence and leadership not provided by Legaux. Much of Callaros’ game is the ability to pick up yards with his running. If he is slowed by his ankle Vanderbilt could have a field day with him sitting in the pocket.

 

The Schaffer versus Stacy and Marve versus Pead matchups should be worth watching the Liberty Bowl alone. If one of these backs can break a long score that could be all either team needs to win.

 

Should Jones stick with Legaux, Vanderbilt should do a good job of containing Legaux and forcing fourth down plays.

 

College football fans are well aware of the great matchups The Liberty Bowl provides. Over the past seven years the average margin of victory has been 5.6 points. Look for this one to follow suit.

 

 

Common 2011 Opponents

 

Vanderbilt 21 –Tennessee 27

Cincinnati23 –Tennessee 45

 

Vanderbilt 24 –Connecticut 21

Cincinnati 35 – Connecticut 27

 

All-Time Bowl Records

 

Cincinnatiis 6-6 having lost their last two bowl games –Virginia Tech 2009, Florida 2010.

 

Vanderbilt is 2-1-1 in bowl games having won their last bowl game – Boston College 2008.

 

The Prediction

 

If Callaros does not play against Vanderbilt the Vandy defense should be able to keep the Bearcat offense in check.

 

Cincinnati should keep the Commodore offense in the zone but Rodgers has a way of breaking a run off here and there to keep drives alive.

 

The Bearcats secondary can be exploited if the defense front is not getting enough pressure.

 

Both teams have something to play for but James Franklin has his players believing they can win every game.

 

Final Score

 

Vanderbilt 24 – Cincinnati 13

 

 

Kickoff for the Liberty Bowl is set for 3:30 p.m. EST December 31.

Music City Bowl: Mississippi State versus Wake Forest in SEC-ACC Showdown


The Music City Bowl on Friday December 30, features 6-6 Mississippi State and 6-6 Wake Forest, two up and coming teams that are still trying to find their way within the elite circles of their perspective conferences.

 

Mississippi State under the direction of head coach Dan Mullen started the season ranked No. 20 with high hopes to compete within the SEC West for a divisional title. After a 59-14 drumming of the Memphis Tigers in week one, MSU was ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll before their showdown with the Auburn Tigers.

 

Auburn’s defense rose to MSU’s last second challenge when they stuffed Bulldog senior quarterback Chris Relf at the goal line to preserve a 41-34 win. The goal line play would be symbolic of the season ahead for Mississippi State, almost there but not quite.

 

The Bulldogs were a scrappy team throughout the season but could never get over the hump against the better SEC teams. MSU held LSU to 19 total points, lost 14-12 to South Carolina, and trailed Alabama 7-0 at halftime before being worn down by the Tide 24-7.

 

Each of the six teams MSU lost to during the 2011 season made post season bowls. Four of those losses came to teams currently ranked in the BCS Top 10 – LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, and South Carolina.

 

Wake Forest had a similar season behind head coach Jim Grobe as the Bulldogs. After an upsetting loss to Syracuse to open the season, the Demon Deacons won four games in a row including a big win over then No. 23 Florida State.

 

After taking down theSeminolesWakeForestlost five of seven games, all against teams with winning records. A close 24-23 victory against 3-9 Duke almost ruined the Deacons’ season.

 

Grobe enters the Music City Bowl on the proverbial hot seat. Grobe had a dynamic season in 2006 leading the Deacon’s to an 11-3 record with a berth in the Orange Bowl. Since then he led the Deacon’s to two winning seasons, two losing seasons, and are on the brink of another losing season should they trip against the Bulldogs.

 

Grobe’s overall record at Wake is 68-66 with three bowl wins to only one loss.

 

The Key Matchups

 

The Bulldogs will have to stop the tandem of wide receiver Chris Givens and quarterback Tanner Price if they expect to win.

 

Price was third in the ACC in total passing yards (2,803), tied for fourth in total passing touchdowns (20), and only threw six interceptions. His quarterback rating of 137.9 was fifth best in the conference.

 

WakeForestgave up the 30th most sacks in college football this season (29). Mississippi State’s defense will look to take advantage of the 28 sacks Price gave up behind the Deacon’s line.

 

Price will have to get rid of the ball fast or junior Bulldog defensive tackle Fletcher Cox will have a field day in Nashville. The Bulldogs sacked the opposition’s quarterback 21 times in 2011, four of those sacks coming from Cox.

 

MSU picked off 12 total passes in a conference better known for running the ball during the 2011 season. If the Bulldogs can apply enough consistent pressure on Price they may be able to force Price into a costly mistake or two.

 

Givens, a junior, led the ACC in total receiving yards and set a single season school record with 1,276 yards. He was third in receiving touchdowns (9) and third in total receptions (74) within the conference.

 

Givens had seven games of 100 or more yards receiving. Deacons’ head coach Jim Grobe will look to get his best offensive player the ball on running plays as well. He had four rushing attempts against Notre Dame for 39 total yards.

 

Senior Deacon’s running back Brandon Pendergrass caught fire towards the end of the season in the absence of sophomore Josh Harris due to a hamstring injury. Pendergrass averaged 95.8 rushing yards per game over the final five games with five rushing touchdowns and one receiving.

 

Pendergrass finished 9th in the ACC in total rushing yards (750).

 

Senior quarterback Chris Relf started the season under center for Mississippi State but gave way to a rotation of Tyler Russell and Dylan Farve before the end. Relf struggled in the passing game where Russell excelled.

 

Relf’s touchdown to interception ratio was part of the problem (9/7). Relf had a better completion percentage than Russell, 59.6 – 53.5, but Russell helped stretch the field better by averaging 8.0 yards per completion to Relf’s 6.3.

 

Russell’s touchdown to interception ratio was better (8/4) and he threw 42 fewer passes than Relf.

 

The Bulldogs’ top receiving target is junior wide receiver Arceto Clark. Clark finished with 404 receiving yards.

 

MSU’s main offensive threat is senior running back Vick Ballard. Ballard finished with 1,009 total rushing yards, fourth in the SEC, but struggled behind his offensive line in conference play. He had five 100-yard rushing games only two of those in conference play – Auburn and Ole Miss.

 

Ballard is a threat to receive the ball out of the backfield when they call his number. Against Auburn he caught five passes for 64 yards.

 

Comparing Stats

 

Wake Forest has the No. 76 ranked total offense in the nation gaining 374.50 yards per game.

 

Mississippi State has the No. 87 ranked offense in the nation averaging 355 yards per game.

 

Statistics can be misleading; the Bulldogs faced the top four defensive teams in the nation – Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and South Carolina.

 

The Deacons faced three teams with defenses ranked in the top 20 –Florida State,Virginia Tech, and Vanderbilt.

 

MSU boast the No. 43 ranked defense limiting teams to 355.92 yards per game.

 

Wake Forest has the No. 75 ranked defense in CFB allowing 399.08 yards per game.

 

MSU has the 19th best scoring defense in the nation holding teams to 19.92 points per game.

 

The Demon Deacons allow 27.75 points per game on average ranking their scoring defense 70th in CFB.

 

Wake Forest averaged 26.75 points per game during the season ranking 62nd in the nation.

 

MSU average 25.50 points per game ranking 73rd in CFB.

 

Wake’s passing offense threw for 255.58 yards per game good for 36th in CFB.

 

MSU was ranked 92nd only averaging 186.25 per game.

 

MSU had the 45th best rushing offense in the nation at 168.83 yards per game.

 

Wake had 24th worst or the 96th best rushing offense averaging 118.92 yards per game.

 

 

Wake’s rush defense versus MSU’s rushing attack:

 

WakeForestis tied for 70th best rush defense in CFB with Georgia Tech at 162.92 yards allowed per game.

 

Bulldogs pass defense versus Wake’s passing offense:

 

Mississippi State has the 23rd best pass defense limiting teams to 194.92 yards per game only allowing 12 passing touchdowns on the year.

 

Should Tyler Russell have to win the game with his arm, the Deacon’s defense allows 236.17 passing yards per game giving up 21 passing touchdowns in the process.

 

Bowl History

 

Wake Forest is 6-3 all-time in bowl games having won their last two.

 

Mississippi State is 9-6 all-time in bowl games having won four straight dating back to 1999.

 

Prediction

 

The Deacons faltered down the back stretch of the season. Will the time off before their bowl game recharge their batteries enough to beat Mississippi State?

 

Mississippi State has a very similar team to Vanderbilt; both teams are scrappy on offense and play hard on defense for their coaches.

 

The Commodores limited Price’s ability to throw as he only completed 47 percent of his passes for 157 yards before being taken out of the game in the fourth quarter.

 

Vanderbilt has a two-headed running tandem between their quarterback Jordan Rodgers and running back Zac Stacey, same as MSU.

 

Vanderbilt had an easy go of Wake Forest in the last game of the regular season winning 41-7. Look for the same here.

 

Final Score

 

Mississippi State 34 – Wake Forest 24

 

The Music City Bowl will be played December 30 at 6:40 p.m. EST in Nashville, Tennessee.

Is Arkansas the most Influential State for College Football of All-Time?


Razorback Stadium

Since the first football game was played November 6, 1869, between Rutgers and Princeton, football fans have battled over whose team is better, which team has the best players, and why for over 100 years.

 

The most overlooked area in college football and perhaps the most important is what state is the most influential. What makes your criteria, the most Heisman Trophy winners per state, the most first round NFL draft picks, or the coaches that got those players to their prominent positions?

 

Based on coaching, would you believe Arkansas may be the most influential college football state of all-time?

 

PennStatefans will argue about the legacy of Joe Pa, Florida State fans will “Tomahawk” you to death with Bobby Bowden all the while Bill Walsh and Cardinal fans will nickel and dime you down the field in the West Coast offense. But if one looks closely at the coaches born in the state of Arkansas or those that cut their teeth coaching at the University of Arkansas, you might change your mind.

 

Here are a few coaches that have made their mark in the world of college football after passing through the great state of Arkansas.

 

Paul “Bear” Bryant

Who is arguably the greatest college football coach of all-time? Most fans, especially those who support Alabama, will tell you Paul “Bear” Bryant is the end all be all and for good reason. Coach Bryant won six national championships at Alabama and 15 conference titles between the SEC and Southwest Conference.

 

When Bryant retired he owned a 323-85-17 coaching record; that is a winning percentage of 76. After his passing in 1983, Super Bowl XVII was dedicated in his honor. The National Coach of the Year Award is even named in his honor.

 

Three coaches that got their start under Coach Bryant went on to win National Championships – Danny Ford, Gene Stallings, and Howard Schnellenberger. Other notable head coaches that got their start under Bear Bryant include David Cutcliffe, Jackie Sherrill, Pat Dye, Sylvester Croom, Jim Owens, Charles McClendon, and Neil Callaway.

 

What does Coach Bryant have to do with Arkansas? He was born in Fordyce, Arkansas. Alabama and college football fans, you are welcome.

 

Frank Broyles

The next great Arkansas coach would have to be Frank Broyles. Coach Broyles was the head coach at the University of Arkansas for 19 years compiling a record of 149-62-6 (69 winning percent) making him the all-time winningest coach in school history.

 

Coach Broyles won a national championship in 1964 and seven Southwest Conference titles from 1958 – 1976.

 

His showdown against University of Texas in 1969 was considered “The Game of the Century” before this year’s Alabama and LSU teams were even a consideration. There was so much national attention on the game President Nixon showed up inFayettevilleto watch.

 

Broyles was in the broadcast booth with Keith Jackson on ABC from 1977-1985 influencing generations of college football fans watching the games at home.

 

In 1996 college football started the Frank Broyles Award to honor the top college football assistant in the nation. Past winners include Randy Shannon, Norm Chow, Gene Chizik, and Gus Malzahn.

 

Broyles helped Johnny Majors (Tennessee), Joe Gibbs (Washington Redskins), Barry Switzer (Oklahoma and the Dallas Cowboys), and Jimmy Johnson (University of Miami and the Dallas Cowboys) all get their start in coaching. Between the four coaches they have won five college football national championships and six Super Bowls.

 

Of the players Coach Broyles mentored over 30 have gone on to coach at the college or pro levels.

 

As the athletic director for Arkansas in 1992, Coach Broyles led Arkansas to college football’s first mega-conference when they departed the now defunct Southwest Conference for the Southeastern Conference.

 

Lou Holtz

Lou Holtz succeeded Coach Broyles in 1977 as the head coach at Arkansas after stops at William and Mary, North Carolina State, and a one-year stint as the New York Jets head coach. Coach Broyles gave the embattled coach an opportunity to get back into college coaching before taking Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988.

 

Holtz won the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award in 1977 after leading Arkansas to a 1978 Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Had Oklahoma won the game that would have been the third national championship in four years for the Sooners. OU was coached by Barry Switzer.

 

Younger generations may only know of Coach Holtz from his work on ESPN’s College Football Score Board and College Football Live or his time asSouth Carolina’s head coach (1999-2004).

 

HoustonNutt

Recruited by Broyles and played under Lou Holtz, Houston Nutt not only was born in Arkansas and played for the Razorbacks but he was also the head coach at the University of Arkansas from 1998-2007. Coach Nutt won three SEC West titles and was named SEC Coach of the Year three times.

 

In 1998 Coach Nutt was awarded coach of the year by The Football News for leading Arkansas to a 9-3 record after being picked to finish last in the SEC West during the preseason.

 

Coach Nutt had eight winning seasons while at Arkansas, two as the head coach at Ole Miss. Nutt’s teams have appeared in seven New Year’s Day bowl games.

 

He coached Darren McFadden to back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Heisman Trophy Award – 2006 and 2007.

 

Jimmy Johnson

Jimmy Johnson played his college ball at theUniversityofArkansasbefore becoming the defensive coordinator under Broyles from 1973-1976. Johnson went on to be the head coach at Oklahoma State University(1979-1983) and University of Miami (1984-1988) before going to the NFL.

 

Coach Johnson won the 1987 national championship atMiamibefore taking over as the Dallas Cowboys head coach in 1989. While inDallas, Johnson won the Super Bowl in 1992 and 1993. The foundation Johnson laid for the Cowboys set up another Super Bowl win in 1995.

 

Johnson’s coaching tree includes native Arkansans Tommy Tuberville and Butch Davis. Johnson also helped start the careers of Norv Turner, Dave Wannstedt, and Dave Campo.

 

Randy Shannon was the starting linebacker for Johnson’s national championship team. Shannon was the head coach at University of Miami from 2007-2010.

 

Barry Switzer

As the head coach at University of Oklahoma from 1973-1988 Barry Switzer had a college record of 157-29-4 winning three national championships (1974, 1975, and 1985) and won 12 Big Eight Conference Titles.

 

Coach Switzer won 82 percent of his games at OU. His teams finished in the Top 10 of the AP Poll 12 times during his tenure.

 

He won Super Bowl XXX in 1995 as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

 

Switzer played for the Razorbacks from 1956-1960 before taking a position as an assistant from 1961-1965 with the Hogs.

 

Coach Switzer was born in Crossett, Arkansas.

 

Ken Hatfield

Ken Hatfield was born in Helena, Arkansas. He played at Arkansas under Frank Broyles, was the head coach atArkansasfrom 1984-1989 compiling a record of 55-17 with three 10 win seasons – 1985, 1988, and 1989.

 

Hatfield was also the head coach at Air Force, Clemson, and Rice.

 

ButchDavis

Coach Davis was a defensive end for the Razorbacks before starting his coaching career at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas.

 

Coach Davis helped turn the University of Miami program around and laid down the tracks for success for Larry Coker and their BCS Championship winning team in 2001. Davis was the head coach at Miami from 1995-2000 before taking over as the head coach for the Cleveland Browns (2001-2004).

 

Davis was recently the head coach at North Carolina– 2007-2010.

 

He won three Big East Championships while at Miami– 1995, 1996, and 2000.

 

Butch Davis recruited Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Reggie Wayne, Clinton Portis, Bryant McKinnie, Antrel Rolle, Sean Taylor, and Jeremey Shockey, just to name a few of the more noteworthy NFL players under his mentorship.

 

Hayden Fry

Coach Fry got his big coaching break when Frank Broyles brought him on staff as his offensive backfield coach in 1961. After Arkansas was the Southwest Conference co-champions that same year, SMU hired Fry as their head coach for the 1962 season.

 

Fry is most remembered as the head coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes (1979-1998). Fry won one Southwest Conference title (1966), one Missouri Valley Conference title (1973), and three Big Ten titles (1981, 1985, and 1990).

 

Johnny Majors

Coach Majors may be considered “Mr. Rocky Top” but before he became the head coach at Tennessee he was an assistant under Frank Broyles from 1964-1967. Majors parlayed his time atArkansasto a head coaching position at Iowa State (1968-1972) before two stints at University of Pittsburgh (1973-1976 and 1993-1996).

 

Majors won the SEC three times (1985, 1989, and 1990). His coaching record for the Volunteers was 116-62-8. In 1985 his Tennessee team finished the season ranked No. 4, his highest post season ranking.

 

Head Coaches Born in Arkansas

 

Fred Akers

Fred Akers was born in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was a running back, kicker, and punter for the Hogs before becoming a coach.

 

Akers is best remembered as being the head coach atUniversityofTexasfrom 1977-1986. He also had head coaching jobs at Wyoming (1975-1976) and Purdue (1987-1990).

 

Akers twice led the Longhorns through undefeated seasons only to lose their bowl game each time – 1977 and 1983.

 

Gus Malzahn

Gus Malzahn, from Jonesboro, Arkansas, was the offensive coordinator for Arkansas, Tulsa, and Auburn before taking the head coaching position atArkansasState.

 

He won the 2010 BCS National Championship as the offensive coordinator forAuburn.

 

As offensive coordinator, Darren McFadden had a runner-up finish in the 2006 Heisman Trophy Award and in 2010 quarterback Cam Newton won the Heisman while atAuburn.

 

Charlie Strong

Coach Strong was born in Batesville, Arkansas and attended University of Central Arkansas before embarking on his coaching career. Strong made a name for himself as a top SEC defensive coordinator atSouth Carolina(1999-2001) and Florida (2002-2009) before taking the head coaching job at Louisville in 2010.

 

Tommy Tuberville

The “Riverboat Gambler” was born in Camden, Arkansas and played safety at Southern Arkansas before beginning his coaching career at Arkansas State.

 

Coach Tuberville has been the head coach at Ole Miss (1995-1998) and Auburn (1999-2008) before taking the Texas Tech position in 2010. While coaching in the SEC Tuberville won one SEC Conference Title and five SEC Western Conference Division Titles.

 

In 2004 he led the Tigers to a 13-0 record. That same year he won the Paul “Bear” Bryant award. He was twice named SEC Coach of the Year – 1997 and 2004.

 

Fitz Hill

Coach Hill was an assistant on the Razorback staff from 1992-2000. He played collegiately at Ouachita Baptist (NAIA) in Arkansas. He was the head coach of San Jose State from 2001-2004 before returning to Ouachita Baptist as the school’s president.

 

Coaching Assistants at University of Arkansas

 

Joe Gibbs – Running backs coach 1971-1972, three time Super Bowl winner with the Washington Redskins.

 

Garrick McGee – Quarterback coach from 2008-2009, offensive coordinator from 2009-2010, and now the head coach at University of Alabama-Birmingham.

 

Monte Kiffin – Defensive coordinator from 1977-1979, parlayed stint atArkansasinto head coaching job at North Carolina State. He is considered the “father” of the Tampa Two defense. Kiffin is the current defensive coordinator at University of Southern California.

 

Pete Carroll got his first big coaching break as a graduate assistant coaching the secondary atArkansasunder then head coach Lou Holtz. On staff was Monte Kiffin who taught Carroll the “4-3 Under” defense and the principal of the Tampa Two defense. Carroll was the 2003 National Coach of the Year while at USC.

 

 

Arkansas’ Influences in other Areas of Football

 

Jerry Jones grew up inNorth Little Rock,Arkansasand played on Frank Broyles 1964 national championship team. In 1989 Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys and immediately made waves throughout the NFL by firing legendary head coach Tom Landry.

 

Jones has taken “America’s Team” to new heights in popularity while winning three Super Bowls as the team owner – 1992, 1993, and 1995.

 

He is also the general manager for the Dallas Cowboys.

 

 

Pat Summerall was a place kicker, tight end, and defensive end atArkansasfrom 1949-1951. He spent 10 years in the NFL before working NFL telecasts in 1962. Summerall and John Madden became the definitive broadcast voices for NFL football covering 22 years.

 

In 1994 the Pro Football Hall of Fame awarded Summerall the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for his contributions to football through radio and television.

 

From USC to Tennessee and Seattle to Miami, the coaching tree continues to spread its influence on college and pro football making Arkansas the most influential state in college football.

2011 SEC Preseason Overview of Intra-Conference Games


This is part four of a series previewing the 2011 SEC college football season.

 

SEC East Schedule Overview

 

The SEC East was the weaker division intra-conference during the 2010 season and South Carolina took advantage of the opportunity. The Gamecocks had big wins at home versus Georgia, Alabama, and at Florida but lost handedly to Auburn on the road, Arkansas at home, and a close one on the road to the Wildcats (let down game). This year Georgia should be better with sophomore Aaron Murray under center again. Florida is the wild card team. How will the immensely talented Gators respond to their new head coach and new offensive philosophy? Were the last 5 games ofTennessee’s 2010 schedule a preview of things to come or a lucky break in their schedule? South Carolina has a lot of offensive weapons; can they be stopped? It looks like 2011 is a repeat of last year in the SEC East.

 

Individual Team Overviews

Florida Gators (2010 record 8-5, 4-4 SEC)

Will Muschamp gets his first SEC action against Tennessee September 17th, but his first real SEC test will be on the road against Joker Phillips and the Kentucky Wildcats. This game should prove to be a good measuring stick for both teams. After Kentucky, Florida is at home versus Alabama, at LSU, at Auburn, bye week, and then Georgia in Jacksonville. Welcome back to the SEC Mr. Muschamp. If Florida had one more tough non-conference or conference game their schedule would be as demanding as LSU’s.

 

Georgia Bulldogs (2010 record 6-7, 3-5 SEC)

The Dawgs better be ready right out of the gate. They have Boise State in week one and then the Gamecocks in week two. Their national title hopes and SEC title hopes could be in serious trouble before they make it to their third game against Coastal Carolina (September 17). The Coastal Carolina game could be the break Georgia needs to figure out what has gone wrong or a “let’s rest up and get ready for the rest of the season” game. If Georgia splits their first two games, they could still be on track for a great season and top tier bowl. With nine weeks left in the season anything is possible. They get Florida in Jacksonville at the end of October, after their bye week, and they do not have to play Arkansas, Alabama, or LSU this year.

 

Kentucky Wildcats (2010 record 6-7, 2-6 SEC)

Kentucky should be bowling around New Year’s Day again in 2011. They have a tough stretch at the end of September into October; vs.Florida, at LSU, at South Carolina. Going 1-2 in that stretch would be a coup of sorts for UK as they had a three game losing streak around the same time last year (at Florida, at Ole Miss, vs. Auburn). Kentucky has an opportunity to win tough games at home versus Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. If Mr. Phillips can get two late season road wins against Vanderbilt and Georgia, the Wildcats could sway some die hard UK basketball fans into Commonwealth Stadium for a raucous SEC finale vs. Tennessee. They should pad their win total this year and improve on the 6-7 record, 2-6 in the SEC, they had last season.

 

South Carolina Gamecocks (2010 record 9-5, 5-3 SEC)

South Carolinahas a middle of the road SEC schedule. They’re at Georgia, at MSU, and at Arkansas. They get Florida and Clemson at home. The Gamecocks could be 8-0 before their third straight road trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas November 5. Their bye week comes between the MSU and Tennessee games. South Carolina does not play Alabama or LSU this year. The Gamecock’s schedule lines up for a great run in 2011.

 

Tennessee Volunteers (2010 record 6-7, 3-5 SEC)

Tennessee needs to have a weak conference schedule if they hope to make a bowl game this year. They get a bye afterFlorida(September 17), then they play vs. Buffalo, vs.Georgia, vs. LSU, at Alabama, vs. South Carolina, and at Arkansas (November 12). Tough year for a proud program and second year coach Derek Dooley trying to turn the Vols program around.

 

Vanderbilt Commodores (2010 record 2-10, 1-7 SEC)

The litmus test for new coach James Franklin will come September 17th when Ole Miss comes to town. Vandy has owned Ole Miss over the last four years (3-1), especially since Houston Nutt arrived at Oxford, and this could be their best and only chance for a win in conference this season; and this is not a slight to Vanderbilt, the players, or Mr. Franklin. The Commodores have a five game SEC stretch that includes South Carolina at home, at Alabama, vs. Georgia, vs. Arkansas, and at Florida. If Franklin has things going his way the last three games of the season could put the Commodores in a bowl game; vs.Kentucky, at Tennessee, at Wake Forest.

 

SEC West

 

Holes to fill and questions left unanswered, that’s how to sum up the SEC West during the preseason. The SEC West is full of talent, hype, and promise. Arkansas, Alabama, and LSU all have great defenses returning but serious question marks at prominent positions on offense. Mississippi State should improve upon their 2010 season and make life tough for every other team in the SEC. Auburn has lost a lot of talent off their 2010 BCS Championship team but with Gus Malzahn running the offense and the previous recruiting efforts of Gene Chizik and staff, Tiger fans expect to reload not rebuild. Ole Miss has a tough haul in 2011 and could be the poster child for being left behind in a hurry. The SEC West has 5 teams that should spend time in the AP Top 25, 3 in the top 10. The West side of the conference proves to be the toughest division in college football.

Alabama Crimson Tide (2010 record 10-3, 5-3 SEC)

Alabama has a pretty easy SEC schedule (remember SEC schedule!). Bama gets Arkansas and LSU at home. Their toughest road games should be a trip to the Swamp and a November trip to MSU. Bama does not have to play South Carolina, whom they lost to last year 35-21 or Georgia. If Bama wins two of their three toughest games (Arkansas, LSU, and Florida) they should be in line for a SEC Title Game appearance which would be their third in four seasons.

 

Arkansas Razorbacks (2010 record 10-3, 6-2)

Arkansas has two tough road games with Bama and LSU, the later being another Arkansas/LSU game with the winner going to the SEC Title Game. The schedule shines on the Hogs as they drop Georgia, pick up an upstart Tennessee team and don’t have to face the Florida Gators. With home games against South Carolina, a team they beat at South Carolina 41-20 last year, and MSU, a 38-31 double overtime win in Starkville, Arkansas could have an easier road to the SEC Title Game than their conference foes.

 

Auburn Tigers/War Eagles (2010 record 14-0, 8-0 SEC)

Auburn may have the toughest six straight games of any team in college football. October 1st starts the run of games atSouth Carolina, at Arkansas, vs. Florida, at LSU, Ole Miss, and then at Georgia. The Tigers’ early games include home versus MSU, at Clemson, and their season finale is the Iron Bowl at home versus in-state rival Alabama; a series that Auburn has dominated 8 wins to 3 losses since 2000. What can anyone say to Auburn and their fans but good luck?

 

Louisiana State University Tigers (2010 record 11-2, 6-2 SEC)

LSU arguably has the toughest schedule in college football. The silver lining is breaks come their way with only two tough in-conference road games; at MSU and atAlabama; their other SEC road games are againstTennesseeand Ole Miss. Home games versusKentucky,Florida,Auburn, andArkansaswill make their schedule easier to manage. LSU’s only back to back demanding games are against Mississippi State and West Virginia, both on the road. Not having South Carolina or Georgia on the schedule helps as well. The Tigers have a demanding schedule but everything lines up for another possible run to the SEC Championship game.

 

Mississippi State Bulldogs (2010 record 9-4, 4-4 SEC)

Mississippi State has a lackluster non-conference schedule which could hurt them come bowl time. They have two tough road games, at Georgia and at Arkansas and they get LSU,South Carolina, Alabama, and in-state rival Ole Miss at home. MSU’s final three games against Alabama, Arkansas, and Ole Miss could make or break their season. Mullen recruits for his scheme not stars, and hopefully he has acquired quality depth for his 2011 team. In 2010 they finished 9-4, 4-4 in the SEC. If MSU can finish their six toughest games above .500 they will improve upon their 2010 season.

 

Mississippi Rebels/Black Bear Rebels (2010 record 4-8, 1-7)

If Ole Miss can turn around their 4-8, 1-7 SEC, 2010 season this schedule will do it for them. Ole Miss gets Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, and LSU at home. Their tough road games could be every road game if Houston Nutt and company start the season with a loss to BYU like they did last year to Jacksonville State. Ole Miss’ SEC road schedule includes Vanderbilt, Auburn, Kentucky, and Egg Bowl rival Mississippi State. They miss SEC East heavyweights South Carolina and Florida this year. Nutt needs to win this year because their road schedule will be killer in 2012.

 

The SEC Championship Game will be held December 3, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. CBS will televise the game starting at 4:00 p.m. EST.

 

Predicted Order of Finish

 

SEC East

Team/SEC Record/Overall Record

South Carolina 6-2, 10-2

Florida 6-2, 9-3

Georgia 5-3, 9-3

Kentucky 4-4, 8-4

Tennessee 2-6, 6-6

Vanderbilt 1-7, 5-7

 

SEC West

Team/SEC Record/Overall Record

Arkansas 7-1, 11-1

Alabama 6-2, 10-2

LSU 6-2, 10-2

MSU 5-3, 9-3

Auburn 1-7, 4-8

Ole Miss 0-8, 2-10

 

SEC Championship Game

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

 

Final Score

31-17

 

SEC Champion

Arkansas Razorbacks

Proposed Rule Changes for College Football Recruiting


SEC and College Football Recruiting

Incase you missed the news the SEC is hoping to change recruiting across the board in college football. After SEC coaches had to succumb to the hard cap recruiting rules, which only allows coaches to sign 25 players instead of over signing in the event that 2 or 3 players do not make their grades, they want to gain a thought advantage in other areas.

Here are their seven proposed rule changes:

  1. Earlier start date for first contact with recruits for off-campus visits.

 

  1. Allowing university officials to “friend” players and their families on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites.

 

  1. Allowing coaching staff members to accept calls from recruits, family members of said recruit, and coaches of said recruits.

 

  1. Allowing coaches to text recruits again. This seems to be a movement that will gain support throughout the college recruiting ranks. The proposal would come with limits for each player.

 

  1. Changing the contact calendar from the current four period system consisting of contact, evaluation, dead period, and on-campus to a three period calendar on-campus, off-campus, and dead period.

 

  1. Allowing players to make earlier official visits.

 

  1. Banning all non-scholastic events from NCAA campuses. The main focus would be a ban on 7 on 7 tournaments which the SEC has already banned.

 

Just to Clarify

Some of the rule changes are much needed while others are begging for trouble.

  1. Visiting with a recruit off-campus before their senior season can be a very important step for a college coach. If college coaches are allowed to offer high school and junior high children scholarships, then it may be a good idea to speak with the kid first before extending that offer. Making blind offers to any player off of their highlight reel without speaking to them first has always been confusing. You may see an attractive person and think you want to marry that person based on their looks but after talking to them you may think differently.

 

  1. I don’t understand why coaches would want to “friend” any recruit or their parents on any social networking site. That is just a recipe for disaster. I understand this allows additional attempts to market the school, team, and coach to those individuals but this also allows those individuals to post anything they want on your Facebook page. If they think you lied to them or if their child is not getting the amount of attention they feel they need, hello Mitch Mustain’s mother, everyone will know about it before you have an opportunity to settle the matter privately.

 

  1. Coaches should be allowed to field calls from a recruit, their parents and/or guardians, and their high school coach. The NCAA forces teams to report secondary violations if a coach answers the phone from a recruit during certain “dead” times. These children and their parents are trying to make a best life decision about their future. They should be allowed to call a coach and ask questions and find out what’s what.

 

  1. Texting recruits with certain restrictions should be allowed. Some of the restrictions should include a total amount per month, within certain time frames, and only if the parents or guardians and the recruits have given permission to a coach. The recruit should only be allowed to receive text messages from the head coach and one other member of a team’s coaching staff. Hitting a recruit up by the head coach, the recruiting coordinator, and the recruit’s position specific coach is too much. Teams would take advantage of this rule and allow special teams coaches to text a kid because he might return kickoffs next year.

 

  1. Changing the contact periods as long as it stays unilateral for all teams should be a no brainer.

 

  1. The cutoff date for earlier official visits would sway my vote one way or the other. A football recruit that is a junior in standing should be allowed to make official visits during the spring or summer semesters before their senior season. Some recruits graduate early so they can enroll in college for the spring semester and participate in spring football practices. In theory this gives the player a better opportunity to play in the fall. Thus an early official visit during the second half of their junior season should be allowed. Official visits during their junior and senior seasons should be limited. The current rule allows for 5 official visits. Would the total number of visits stay at 5 or be raised to 6 or 7?

 

  1. The ban of 7 on 7 tournaments on NCAA campuses is confusing. Why would coaches not want recruits on their campus in as many different ways as possible? This would give kids an opportunity to play on their home field and get a taste of what it might be like to be a player for said team. If the SEC has missed the boat on 7 on 7 tournaments I doubt they would have much trouble raising awareness for their individual tournaments. Would the bleed over from this include other tournaments such as volleyball, baseball, wrestling, etc…? This might be the worst and least thought out rule change of the bunch.